Phased Waste Prevention Measurement and Evaluation Plan

The City of Seattle is requesting proposals for a Phased Waste Prevention Measurement and Evaluation Plan under RFP 26-134-S, with proposals due September 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. and questions due August 26, 2026. A WMBE Inclusion Plan is required; the solicitation emphasizes contracting with a firm committed to the City's women and minority-owned business enterprise program with an innovative and feasible inclusion plan.

The scope encompasses development of baseline measurement and targets for Seattle Public Utilities' Waste Prevention Strategic Plan (2028–2033), individual program evaluation plans for five Action Areas (food waste prevention, single-use reduction, building material reuse, share-repair-reuse initiatives, and school waste prevention), and as-needed evaluation support for recycling and composting programs. Work will be issued through individual Annual Work Assignments; no minimum quantity of work is guaranteed. The consultant must execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement due to involvement with community and business data collection. Key solicitation objectives require professional expertise in measurement and program evaluation including planning, data collection, analysis and reporting, and demonstrated equity lens with experience developing equitable approaches to measurement and evaluation. No minimum qualifications are required to submit a proposal.

The estimated contract value is $550,000 to $650,000 over an initial two-year term with an option to extend for an additional three years. Anticipated annual spending is up to $150,000. The first Work Assignment covers contract execution through December 2026 with baseline measurement deliverables due by end of Q1 2027. Compensation shall not exceed the original contract value exclusive of applicable sales tax, with consultant reimbursable expenses allowed at actual cost under specified limitations (GSA meal rates, federal hotel rates, IRS mileage, coach/economy airfare, standard mid-size rental vehicles). Hourly billing rates include all direct, indirect, and fixed fees under Federal Acquisition Regulations Part 31, with cost escalation applied January 1 of each year. The City will issue payment within 30 calendar days of invoice receipt.

The consultant must maintain commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), commercial automobile liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), and Washington State workers' compensation insurance, with the City named as additional insured. Additional optional coverages—pollution, professional liability, crime/fidelity, and cyber—may be required, each with $1,000,000 minimum limits. All insurers must maintain A.M. Best rating A-: VII or higher. The pre-submittal conference is August 21, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. The City anticipates announcing the successful proposer by October 31, 2026, with interviews potentially scheduled for the week of October 19, 2026.